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Патент USA US3091510

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May 28, 1963
R. ALTSON
3,091,500
ANTIFRICTION BEARING
Filed Jan. 5, 1961
INVENTOR
RALPH ALTSON
15v QWMSM. WM.
HIS ATTOR EY
3,091,500
United States
Patented May 28, 1963
2.
1.
scu?ing and skidding of the‘ rollers against‘the raceways.
3,091,500
ANTIFRICTION BEARING
Ralph .Altson, New York, N.Y., assignor to General Mo
tors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela
ware
.
Filed Jan. 5, 1961, Ser. No.v 80,868
4 Claims. (Cl. 308—217)
This invention relates to antifriction bearings and more
particularly to an improved roller bearing cage for guid
ing the rolling elements in a bearing and for demount
ably holding the rolling elements in unit-handling rela
tion with the cage.
Roller bearings as commonly employed for support
It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an
improved cage for guiding the rolling elements in an anti
friction bearing.
A further object of‘ this invention is to provide an im
proved easily constructed roller'bearing cage of simple
light weight construction and which will maintain‘ the
rollers with their axes respectively located in planes each
of which includes the axis .of the roller bearing’during
ope-ration of the bearing:
,_
A further object of my invention is to provide an im
proved roller bearing cage which may be stamped'out and
bent to form from sheet material and which demountably
receives rollers" in unit-handling assembly therewith.
A still further object‘ of my invention, is to‘ provide an
ing radial loads, employ an inner race ring and an outer 15
improved and inexpensive cage for guiding the rollers in
race ring which are relatively rotatable through an inter
a roller‘ bearing and which can be produced by simple
vening series of circumferentially arranged rollers which
forming and assembling operations and which receive
engage circular raceways respectively formed in these
rollers in demountable assembled relation therewith and
race rings. One di?‘iculty frequently encountered in such
maintains these rollers'in axially parallel relation to each
a bearing resides in the fact that these rollers often shift
other.
out of axially parallel relation with the axis of the hear
To these ends and to improve generally upon devices
ing due to the uneven stress distributions throughout the
of this character, this invention consists in the various
lengths of these rollers. This uneven stress results from
matters hereinafter described and claimed. In its broader
the fact that the stress concentration of a roller under
load is Weakest at the ends of the roller since the ends of 25 aspects‘, the invention is not necessarily limited to the
the roller are not as well supported as the intermediate
portions of the roller. Consequently, even though such
rollers may be precisely ground to the required shape and
size, this non-uniform distribution of stresses produces
different deformations of the roller-engaged raceways at
the ends of the rollers from that of the raceway deforma
speci?c arrangements selected for illustrative purposes
in the accompanying drawings wherein
FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary end view of a roller bear
ing embodying my improved cage construction;
FIGURE 2. is an enlarged fragmentary perspective
view of the cage;
_
tions produced by intermediate portions of the rollers.
FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary section of-the cage show
ing the demountable positioning of a roller therein; and
Also, due to these non-uniform stress concentrations, the
roller ends themselves deform differently from intermedi 35 _ FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the
positioning of a roller in assembled relation with the
ate portions of the rollers when operating under load.
cage.
Hence, these non-uniform stress concentrations fre
quently cause the ends of the rollers to rotate in raceway
In accordance with my invention, I have provided a
contact at a different rate from that of the central por
tions of the rollers, thereby causing an angular skewing of
the rollers which results in a scu?ing and sliding action
of the rollers against the raceways with consequent rapid
bearing wear and much shortened bearing life. This
scu?ing and skewing of the rollers is particularly trouble
some in roller bearings that are operated at high rota
tional speeds under relatively light radial loads.
_
In an endeavor to overcome this objectionable feature
which is common to many roller bearings, it has been the
precision antifriction roller bearing including an inner
40 race ring 10, and an outer race ring 12 arranged for rela
tive coaxial antifrictional rotation through a series of
circumferentially spaced intervening rolling elements, as
rollers 14, arranged for rolling engagement against cir
cular raceways 16 and '18 formed in these inner and outer
race rings. The rollers 14 are demountably secured in
circumferentially spaced relation within an annular cage
20 located between the race rings 10 and 12 and prefer
ably antifrictionally supported by these rollers in radially
spaced relation to both race rings. This cage, which is
practice to provide a roller bearing wherein the rollers
support the load only through a partial circumferential 50 light in weight but rugged in structure, may be stamped out
portion of the race rings and to let the rollers loosely
and bent to form from suitable material, as sheet metal,
and is herein illustrated as fabricated from a thin walled
locate between the opposing raceways when passing
through the unloaded zone of the bearings. Additionally,
tube. However, if desired, the cage may be preformed
from ?at sheet material that is thereafter rolled up to the
certain cages have been provided for circumferentially
spacing the rollers but in these cages it has been usual 55 required‘ diameter after which the ends are suitably se
cured together as by brazing or Welding.
to loosely receive the rollers in circumferentially spaced
The cage 20 has a pair of similar coaxial circular end
pockets of the cage. With these prior constructions, the
loose ?t of the rollers within the unloaded zone of the
rings or‘ ?anges 22, herein shown cylindrical, between
bearing prevents the bearing from being a precision bear
which extend circumferentially spaced cross bars 24 thus
ing wherein both race rings are maintained coaxial as is 60 providing cireumferentially spaced pockets 25 that re~
spectiv'ely receive the rollers 14. Each cross bar has a
required in many of today’s modern machines.
pair of corresponding short aligned end portions 26 ex
tending towards each other. The outer ends of the cross
bars .26 are respectively integral with the end ?anges 22
rate of circumferential movements as they enter and also
as they leave the loaded zone of the bearing. This sud 65 and these end portions form substantially lateral inward
continuations of the flanges having the‘same radius as
den change of acceleration of roller movement particu
the ?anges. The intermediate portion of each cross bar
larly in a high speed bearing, not onlyymay cause skew
24 has a corresponding U-shaped portion 28 which ex
ing of the rollers but also adds to the damaging skidding
tends radially inwardly of the cage and is provided with .
feature ofthe rollers against the raceways. As a re
sult, many roller bearings do not attain their intended 70 a pair of divergent walls 30 and 31 interconnected at
thermore, with this loose ?t of the rollers in the un
loaded zone, the rollers tend to suddenly change their
life due to the rapid bearing wear resulting from this
their inner ends by a curved portion 33. The walls 30
3,091,500
A
3
and _31 are preferably narrower in width than the end
the cage in radially spaced relation to both race rings,
portlons 26 in a direction circumferentially of the cage
the intermediate portion of each cross bar having a U
and the radially outer ends of the walls 30 and 31 are
shaped portion extending from the cross bar generally
radially of the cage, and a lug on each U-shaped portion
integrally connected to the inner ends of the end por
tions 26 through short bent portions 34 and 35.
5 laterally extending into closely spaced relation with the
adjacent rolling element, said lugs and said walls on adja
The curved wall 33 at the juncture of the divergent
cent cross bars demountably securing the rolling ele
walls 31 and 32, is provided with a pair of later-ally pro
ments in assembled relation with the cage.
jecting lugs 36 which project outwardly from each other
2. In an antifriction bearing, a pair of relatively ro
circumferentially of the cage. Each of these lugs termi
tatable race rings engaged by a series of circumferentially
nates in a ?at end face 38. The end faces 38 in each
disposed rollers therebetween, a roller guiding cage be
pocket 25, which are in opposing relation, maybe parallel
tween and radially spaced from said rings and having
to an intermediate radial plane of the cage and are spaced
axially spaced cylindrical end rings, circumferentially
apart through a distance slightly less than that of the
spaced cross bars extending between the end rings and
diameter of the roller 14 received therebetween. The
edges of the end cross bar portions 26 are preferably 15 forming therewith a series of circumferentially ‘spaced
pockets respectively receiving said rollers, the ends of
bevelled at 40 ‘for tangential light engagement with a
said cross bars being transversely curved in conformity
roller to cooperatively position the roller in its cage
with and forming axially inward extensions of the periph
pocket. These opposing roller guiding faces 40 in each
eries of said cylindrical end rings, parallel end walls on
pocket are spaced apart through a distance less than
the diameter of the roller 14 received therebetween. As 20 said cross bars tangentially engaging the rollers radially
outwardly of a pitch circle de?ned by the roller axes, said
best shown in FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the
roller engagement with the end walls positioning the cage
diameter of my cage exceeds the diameter of the pitch
in spaced ‘relation to both race rings, the intermediate
circle of the roller axes when assembled in the cage.
portions of each cross bar having a yieldable U-shaped
Also, the lugs 38 lie substantially radially inwardly of
this pitch circle, and normally out of roller engagement. 25 portion extending radially inwardly beyond the pitch
It will be appreciated that with this cage construction
circle of said roller axes, and each U-shaped portion hav
each roller 14 projects radially inwardly ‘from and radi
ing a pair of opposed lugs laterally extending into spaced
ally outwardly beyond the cage thus cooperatively sup
porting the cage by the circumferentially spaced rollers.
relation with the roller in an adjacent pocket, and the
spacing between lugs opposing each roller being slightly
The corresponding and opposing edges of the arms 30, 31, 30 less than the roller diameter whereby the rollers may
snap past said lugs and be demountably retained in said
in each cage pocket are spaced from each other through
a ‘distance circumferentially of the cage which exceeds
the diameter of a roller so that the cage is normally sup
pockets.
3. In an antfriction bearing, a pair of relatively ro
tatable race rings engaged by a plurality of circumferen
faces 40 on the cross arm portions 26 in light tangential 35 tially arranged rollers therebetween, an annular cage
ported through its light engagement of the parallel sur
engagement with the rollers.
Additionally, each cage
between the race rings, said cage having pockets receiving
the rollers in circumferentially spaced relation, axially
?ange has a ?at pocket end wall 42 adapted to engage
spaced cylindrical end rings on said cage, circumferen
the ?at end of a roller 14. These roller guiding faces
tially spaced cross bars connected at their outer ends
40 and 42 antifrictionally contact the roller in the pres
ence of lubricant within the bearing. This ‘guiding en 40 to said end rings, each cross bar being positioned be
tween a pair of adjacent rollers, each of said cross bars
gagement of the faces 40 against the rollers aided by
having an end portion axially coextensive with and trans
the walls 42 against the ends of the rollers, assures that
versely conforming in curvature with one of said cylin
the rollers are all maintained with their axes in planes
drical end rings, walls on adjacent cross bars in guiding
each of which includes the axis of bearing rotation. If
the rollers are cylindrical, their axes will be maintained 45 engagement with the end portions of a pocketed roller
therebetween, said walls having ‘divergent bearing sur
parallel to each other and to the axis of bearing rotation.
faces tangentially engaging a pocketed roller therebe
The radially inwardly projecting arms 30 and 31 of
tween to support the cage in radially spaced relation to
each U-shaped portion are slightly resilient thus permit
‘both of said race rings, the intermediate portion of each
ting a roller 14 to be snapped past the opposing lugs 36
into a cage pocket 25 to facilitate the easy insertion and 50 cross bar having a U-shaped portion extending from the
cross bar generally radially inwardly of the cage, and a
removal of a roller. With this arrangement, a full com
lug on each U-shaped portion laterally projecting there
plement of rollers may be initially inserted within a
from towards a pocketed roller, each lug having a ?at
cage and the unit-handling assembly of rollers and cage
face tangentially engageable with the roller and substan
may thereafter be assembled with the race rings of a bear
ing. In some roller bearings wherein the rollers are 55 tially parallel to a radial plane of the cage passing through
a pocketed roller, and said roller engageable surfaces in
located within a race ring having shoulders at the ends
each pocket cooperatively ‘and demountably securing the
of one of the raceways, the cage may be located in posi
roller within its cage pocket.
tion and the rollers may be radially snapped into their
4. In a cage for guiding the rollers between a pair
respective pockets after the cage has been positioned.
60 of coaxial race rings in an antifriction ‘bearing, a pair of
I claim:
axially spaced cylindrical end rings having cylindrical
1. In an antifriction bearing, -a pair of relatively ro
peripheries of the same diameter, circumferentially spaced
tata'ble race rings engaged by a plurality of circum
cross bars extending between and respectively secured at
fer-entially arranged rolling elements therebetween, an
their ends to the end rings, the ends of the cross bars
annular cage between and radially spaced from both race
rings, said cage having pockets receiving the rolling ele 65 being transversely curved in conforming relation to the
end ring curvatures and forming inward axial extensions
ments in circumferentially spaced relation, axially spaced
‘of said cylindrical peripheries, the cross bars and end
cylindrical end rings on said cage, circumferentially spaced
rings forming circumferentially spaced pockets for re
cross ‘bars connected at their ends to said end rings,
spectively receiving said rollers, the intermediate portion
each cross bar being positioned between adjacent rolling
elements, each of said cross bars having an end portion 70 of each cross bar having a radially inwardly disposed
U-shaped portion provided with a pair of closely spaced
axially coextensive and conforming in curvature with one
divergent arms, each pair of said arms being intercon
of the cylindrical end rings, walls on adjacent cross bars
nected at their inner ends, the arms being in spaced
in guiding engagement with a rolling element therebe
relation to the rollers in adjacent pockets, parallel end
tween, said walls having bearing surfaces parallel to the
Cage axis and tangentially engaging the rollers to support 75 walls on each cross bar tangentially engaging the Pocketed
3,091,500
6
rollers and supporting the cage on said rollers in radially
spaced relation to both race rings, the opposing end walls
whereby all of the rollers may be snapped past the lugs
in each pocket being spaced apart circumferentially of
References Cited in the ?le of this patent
UNITED STATES PATENTS
for demountable positioning within said pockets.
the cage through a distance less than the diameter of a
roller, ?at parallel end walls on the end rings in said
1,395,244
pockets and engageable with the ends of said rollers,
lugs laterally projecting from the interconnected ends
Gothberg ____________ __ May 28, 1940
2,848,791
Neese ______________ __ Aug. 26, 1958
404,274
1,001,550
Italy _________________ __ June 5, 1943
Germany ____________ .._ Jan. 24, 1957
of each pair of arms into spaced relation with a pocketed
roller, the opposing lugs in each pocket being spaced
apart through a distance less than that of a roller diam
eter, and said cross bars being cooperatively resilient
Andre _______________ __ Nov. 1, 1921
2,202,792
FOREIGN PATENTS
10